'Water bill' protects ratepayers across state

3:00 PM,
Apr. 5, 2013

Written by

Janet Burhoe-Jones, Swannanoa

People are upset about the state "water bill" until they learn that the Asheville-managed water system leaks 30 percent of its water, one of the highest leakage rates of any system in the state and the very highest of any large urban system. Unfortunately, for decades, instead of maintaining pipes, Asheville skimmed more than $120 million from the public water enterprise fund (fees from both county and city water users) to pay for Asheville sidewalks and roads, facts revealed in two court cases. A community-appointed regional authority will be accountable. Consolidation also renders ...